Bidappa to celebrate 'Karnataka Day' at Surajkund Mela

Karnataka has been selected as the theme state for the ongoing International Crafts Mela, Surajkund and ace designer Prasad Bidappa will choreograph a fashion show Saturday to celebrate 'Karnataka Day'.

From colours, ethnicity, traditions to hospitality, the best of Karnataka is showcased at the 27th edition of the crafts mela started Feb 1.

Karnataka’s main event will take place Saturday with a fashion show and a bouquet of cultural programmes. The day will be observed as ‘Karnataka Day’, reads a statement.

“Our main intention this year is to portray the grandeur of the many worlds of Karnataka that many people don't know about,” Arvind Jadhav, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism), Government of Karnataka, said in a statement.

“We now want to bring to centre stage little known but highly intriguing facts about our silks and sarees, the Dharwad gharana and its contribution to hindustani music, the colourful patterns of Navalgund and Kasuti, the national flag manufacturing that is unique to our khadi units in Dharwad and many such lesser known stories,” he added.

As many as 400 artistes and artisans from across the state of Karnataka are participating at the mela and are presenting various forms of art, folk, music, dance and theatre shows.

Also the venue has been transformed into some of the popular monuments of the state including Tulabara from Hampi, Bara Kaman from Bijapur, Belur Chennakeshava Temple, Mysore Palace, Dasara Dolls,  Jain Basadi, Pattadakal Temple Complex, Vijayanagara Empire and Hoysala Pillars.

There are a total of 75 stalls from Karnataka presenting their wares at the 15-day craft mela.